Truckee, CA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- TMC § 8.01.490
- Basis for designation
- Documented bite/attack history, not breed
- Off-property requirement
- Muzzle and substantial leash
- Clean record to delist
- 36 months without incident
- Violation classification
- Misdemeanor (§ 8.01.490(h))
- Hearing procedure
- Food & Agricultural Code §§ 31621 et seq.
Summary
Truckee does not ban any dog breed by name. Instead, Town of Truckee Municipal Code § 8.01.490 imposes confinement, muzzle, and licensing requirements on any individual dog formally declared 'potentially dangerous' or 'vicious' based on documented bite or attack behavior, regardless of breed.
Every person owning, having possession, charge or control of a potentially dangerous dog as defined by Section 8.01.020(v) or a vicious dog as defined by Section 8.01.020(w) shall comply with the following provisions which are designed to reduce injury or death to human and animal life: ... (b)Confinement of a Potentially Dangerous Dog: A potentially dangerous dog, while on the owner's property, shall, at all times, be kept indoors or in a securely fenced yard from which the dog cannot escape, and into which children cannot trespass. A potentially dangerous animal may be off the owner's premises only if it is restrained by a muzzle and a substantial leash of appropriate length and if it is under the control of a responsible adult.
Full Breakdown
Truckee's dangerous-dog scheme is entirely behavior based. 020(v) is one that, unprovoked, has twice in 36 months required a defensive action to prevent injury, has bitten someone causing an injury short of a muscle tear or disfiguring laceration, or has twice attacked a domestic animal off its owner's property. 020(w) is one that unprovoked inflicts an injury requiring sutures or surgery, kills a person, or continues potentially-dangerous behavior after being warned. 490(a) requires it be licensed and vaccinated with the designation entered on its registration, plus a 'potentially dangerous dog' fee on top of the ordinary license fee.
Subsection (b) confines the dog to indoors or a securely fenced yard on the owner's property, and off the property it may move only muzzled, on a substantial leash, and under a responsible adult's control. 490(c) requires written notice to Animal Control within two working days. A dog can come off the list after 36 clean months, or sooner if the owner shows mitigating changes, under subsection (d). , referenced directly in subsections (e) through (g).
Violations & Fines
Violating any confinement, muzzle, licensing, or notice condition under § 8.01.490 is a misdemeanor under subsection (h). If a dog is impounded pending a dangerousness hearing under subsection (f), the owner is liable to the Town for the costs of keeping it if the dog is later adjudicated potentially dangerous or vicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Truckee ban pit bulls or any other breed?
What must I do if my dog is declared potentially dangerous?
Can a dangerous-dog designation ever be removed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Truckee
How Truckee compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Truckee to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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